Turkey Could Paralyze US Supply Lines

[BrucePrime]

WASHINGTON — The Bush administration is concerned that Turkey could block vital U.S. supply routes to Iraq.

Seventy percent of the fuel and air shipments to the U.S. military in Iraq are currently routed through Turkey.

Officials said the Defense Department and U.S. military believe Ankara could retaliate to a U.S. House resolution that blamed Turkey for the killing of 1.5 million Armenians in World War I. They said Ankara could block weapons and supplies to the U.S. military in Iraq.

"I think we all recognize there were mass murders 95 years ago, 1915," Defense Secretary Robert Gates said. "The problem that we have is that this is clearly a very sensitive subject for one of our closest allies, and an ally that is incredibly important to the United States in terms of our operations in Iraq."

Gates said 70 percent of the U.S. air cargo to Iraq flies through Turkey. He said 70 percent of the fuel requirements of the U.S. military in Iraq also moves through neighboring Turkey.

Officials said Turkey also serves as the route for new U.S. armored vehicles to Iraq. They cited the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected, or MRAP, vehicles, designed to withstand improvised explosive devices.

"For those who are concerned that we get as many of these Mine Resistant Ambush Protected heavy vehicles into Iraq as possible, 95 percent of those vehicles today are being flown into Iraq through Turkey," Gates said on Oct. 12.

Another concern was that Turkey would limit the U.S. use of the Incirlik air force base near Iraq. The United States has sought to expand its use of Incirlik, now reserved for training and logistics missions.

SOURCE

Edited October 15, 2007 by BrucePrime

[Atheist God]

Turkey won't sever ties with the US because it would hurt them more then it would the US in almost every way. This being said who cares what happened almost a century ago, in my opinion this is a prime example of the democrats being somewhat counter productive also. It also shows how corrupt they are too as many of them have received big campaign contributions from the Armenian lobby.

[stevewinn]

I cant see Turkey blocking the US supply lines, but in this world you never know, havent the Turkish government gone to parliament to get permission to carry out Military action in northern Iraq? so their putting pressure on the US.

[BrucePrime]

It also shows how corrupt they are too as many of them have received big campaign contributions from the Armenian lobby.

I heard a quote from the head of the Armenian-American assocation in California (which hosts the largest number of Armenian-Americans). He said that no one approached him before Congress heard this resolution. I doubt it's because the Democrats recieved contributions from the Armenian-lobby.

[BrucePrime]

I cant see Turkey blocking the US supply lines, but in this world you never know, havent the Turkish government gone to parliament to get permission to carry out Military action in northern Iraq? so their putting pressure on the US.

Military action in Kurdish-Iraq would hurt US supply lines...

[truethat]

I swear to God I thought this said Turkey could paralyze US Bloodlines.

I pictured scientists saying Turkey meat is very unhealthy.

Bad turkey. Bad. I thought it was in reference to Thanksgiving. I'm an idiot.

[dcman]

I swear to God I thought this said Turkey could paralyze US Bloodlines.

I pictured scientists saying Turkey meat is very unhealthy.

Bad turkey. Bad. I thought it was in reference to Thanksgiving. I'm an idiot.

Turkey is good, but mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, pecan pie, sweet potatoes...will paralyze US Bloodlines if you eat enough of it...lol

...food on the brain?